In this video I test a bunch of those things we all call fliplines/lanyards/buckstraps/scarestraps. Whatever the heck they're called I get down to the bottom of it and test how they cut in real life scenarios!
Thanks for testing. We've all nicked our flipline and wonder how durable it is. Good reason to always tie in twice while using a saw in the tree. It's also a good practice to have your climbing line tied in below the flipline while topping or chunking. The saw will reach the lanyard first, but the climbing line is intact to catch you and be safe to continue the job. I will definitely be using a steel core on large removals where the backside is out of view. I've been enlightened by your testing and results in real world scenarios.
Jamison Timberfalling first time anyone specified lanyard top or bottom and explained why. I think most of the time I see climbing line on top but I agree. Better to sacrifice the lanyard. We should all have a couple lanyards at all times.
Ok, that was sobering, the speed at which you went through soft flipline. The look on your face; one second you're in the tree, then before you realized it, you were on the ground. Yeah, getting steel core today.
incredibly valuable information. The non-steel flip lines were a lot less cut resistant then I expected. This will make me safer and I'm sure I'm not alone. Thank you!
I mean I feel like when you hear ppl saying steel core dosent make a difference they are talking about if you are not paying attention and go full throttle over your line. If that is the case yeah running a ms500i like we do youll prolly go thru that in an instant aswell but for all the other situations where you maybe just grace your line a steel core makes a BIG difference.
There are some absolutes....Don't run across a road in heavy traffic, don't play with a gun that hasn't been cleared to be unloaded, don't light a match next to someone pouring gas, etc., and don't cut your climbing line or lanyard or cut right next to them. In my 50th year of climbing I have cut a few hang down ends of climb lines but never life support aspect. Why I am still here and some I know of are not.
The reason I just bought a wire core. My soft lanyard will stay in my bag when I'm spiking and my climbing rope tip will always be below my flipline when I'm cutting. Just in case, you never know you could gaff out suddenly and clip your rope lanyard. I did with my silky and cut half way through. Scared me and this video has convinced me I've spent the extra money well.
Every cut you made was in the air, except the very last one. On the last one, it took a little bit of pushing, but like you said, if you hadn't been looking for it, and you were just powering through, it seems likely that you wouldn't have noticed it hit the cable. So, obviously the solid core is far more forgiving, especially when away from a tree, because there is room for it to move, but when you have a rope wrapped around the tree and held in place, it is like putting something in a vise and cutting into it - there's no give, and so you can cut through much more quickly. Thanks for making these videos!
Brother. I own a bin business and do fire wood on spare time. The stuff I learned from your and big Phil sharpen video and inbred jed had me cutting hard with the ol ms 290. Half moons for sure. Im petrified of heights...yet I hunt from a saddle all the time. 2 fresh saws tomorrow
There's s sheath available that does just that but it looks quite bulky so would slow your rate of work down. I guess the trade off is to double check before using your power saw. I've nicked my line with my silky and it went half way through so the wire core is perfect for me.
That sterling tech rope is awesome. Because it’s cut resistant, it’s very stiff. Almost acts like a steel core. Cut resident always is referring to a hand saw.
Subbed within 10 minutes of first video and have been watching for 3 days still more to watch this is 10 time's better than television you are all very professional and interesting. Thanks for your hints and tips I'm sure your explanations are preventing admissions to A AND E departments in hospitals.
Love the info and the presentation. Little thought though, if you are performing a test where the end result is you are guaranteed to fall to the ground with a running saw, maybe have a coworker perform the cutting. An accident seems much less likely that way. All in all though, great information.
That's why I always use steel core flip lines it might only be a second or two but atleast you have a chance to feel it or nick it and it survive. Your most likely from what I've seen to hit it near you when moving the saw around infront of you more often than cutting it on the backside... they definitely don't cut at the same rate at all. Good video ❤️.
Ok so I learned: fiber ropes won't dull you blade. Lol seriously though thank you for showing this demonstration. Now I know that steel flip line will cut easier than I thought.
I've been climbing & doing tree work on Vancouver Island , British Columbia , Canada not very far north from you guys at all hence we process the same wood , Fir , Cedar , Big leaf maples , ect. & in the 18 years i've been doing tree work i have never climbed with a soft core flipline & would never even consider it , in my opinion i believe it should be the law as far as climbing standards go , & yes i understand 2 points of attachment at all times but that also applys to you when using a steel core flipline that being said our regs maybe different in Canada than the U.S. maybe someone can fill me in a bit on the State regulations in Washington i guess all i'm saying is that if you do accidentaly hit or knick your scare strap your chances of completely severing your line are not even close to a soft core no comparrison at all ..just saying ...Keep on the Sunny Side Ya'll 🌄
I nicked my logging chain today. Was using a carbide blade so it took out a decent chunk. I don't climb so its all ground work. I was working on wind blown leaners. So I would cut them to buckle and then winch on them to break the back cut. That's why the chain was on them. I like to be far away when they drop. I'm cleaning up fire damage hence the carbide blade. It's an experiment.
I guess the moral of the story is to use wire with a plastic cover -- I think they did that 50 years ago then someone got the bright idea to only use rope
I wish that i had a company like you work for around here in wv i have a small tree business and wish i could just climb amd not worry about all the paperwork that goes with it the only companies around are jaflo amd asplundh they mainly do line clearance
Dude it scares me so much when I see you cutting just above your flip line, good experiment, I wouldn't feel safe unless I was triple tied, but I'm scared of hights.....k
Great video. There goes 100 dollars worth of flip lines. I like the wire core, if nothing else I find it easier to climb with. I also heard they are just as easy to cut through and I didn’t think that was possible.
Development of wire core flip line lanyard, with its secondary core of Kevlar fibers, oriented such that they pull into the chain teeth stopping any further severe, could be marketable?
Lol well... Damn good video though... Only cut one steel core just to the cable once and that was scary because of course I wasn't double tied in... Got down out of that tree fast
Lesson learned: Watch where your line is, even the steel core. Scary how easy they were to go through especially if you're tired or something and not paying attention.
I did this experiment once and it’s an eye opener hey ? I bought 60m of Sterling TriTech while in the USA. It’s not available in the UK. Can you list the lines below dude ? If it’s okay I’m going to show this on one of the courses I teach.
Is it me or are your rakers REALLY low on that MS201? Is there a reason for this? Looks a bit twitchy potentially 😳 Really interesting video though Jake. Hope your boss didn’t think you’d lost your touch that day and shredded a load of kit 😂
Well the question that you should be asking is, why isn't the 'steel' core made of a 'tool' steel instead of that soft steel...tool steel chain wins every time over that flimsy soft steel....you might get with your supplier and push him to find a manufacturer who would make a gazillion strand tool steel flipline that would grab the chain yet be flexible....be safe!!
Yeah I think steel core gives a better life expectancy, if you are not paying 100 percent attention to it. I would rather carry more weight up the tree and have some more peace of mind.
Part of becoming a real good climber/trimmer is maneuvering your chainsaw/ handsaw carefully around your lanyard and ropes. After watching this I need to be 100% awake and looking at where I’m placing my chainsaw. Sometimes we are taking chances cutting so close. Dam they really are weak So that means we have to pick up the slack with our brains. Don’t cut your line or ya dead 💀
I treat steel core the same way i treat standard rope, avoid hitting, end of story. If i has a line or lanyard anwhere near the cut, i double and triple check, and on large cuts i will pause during the cut to check the cut angle and flip line once the cut is established. My philosophy being steel core may save you against an accidental contact, but if you count on it, its no longer and accidental contact.
Next time if you want do test use two lifeline at minimum ...cause when you cut flipline and move from tree ..you can cut lifeline ...lets do test at people do test for job
Every cut you made was in the air, except the very last one. On the last one, it took a little bit of pushing, but like you said, if you hadn't been looking for it, and you were just powering through, it seems likely that you wouldn't have noticed it hit the cable. So, obviously the solid core is far more forgiving, especially when away from a tree, because there is room for it to move, but when you have a rope wrapped around the tree and held in place, it is like putting something in a vise and cutting into it - there's no give, and so you can cut through much more quickly. Thanks for making these videos!
